ESPN to Make Rio’s Clube dos Marimbás its Home during 2014 FIFA World Cup

Two Studios Planned for ESPN’s U.S. and Global Networks

ESPN has chosen Rio de Janeiro’s Clube dos Marimbás, a popular members-only sailing club on the southern tip of Copacabana Beach, as its production headquarters for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In all, more than 280 original hours of coverage across ESPN’s English-language networks – ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNEWS and WatchESPN – in the United States will originate from the club during Brazil 2014, June 12 – July 13.

ESPN will build two studios – one for ESPN Deportes and ESPN International’s game-around-the-game programming, and the other, a multi-purpose studio for ESPN’s English-language U.S. networks that will feature an anchor desk, conversation and discussion set, and an interview area. Both will be located on a temporary structure adjoining the club’s third floor and above its boatyard. The sprawling seven-mile Copacabana is the most-popular beach in the world and its scenic skyline will serve as the backdrop throughout ESPN’s month-long presentation of the quadrennial event. The third floor of Clube dos Marimbás will be transformed into ESPN’s global production headquarters for Brazil 2014.

ESPN’s FIFA World Cup branded shows will originate from Clube dos Marimbás throughout the month, including daily editions of World Cup Live, World Cup Primetime, ESPN FC, editions of SportsCenter, as well as the pre-game, halftime and post-game shows.

ESPN Deportes’ game-around-the-game programming originating from site will include a daily edition of the global soccer show Fuera de Juego, the popular Futbol Picante, and Cronometro – also seen on ESPN networks in Spanish-speaking Latin America.

“The selection of Clube dos Marimbás as the broadcast location for our World Cup presentation reflects the unparalleled ambition we have for Brazil 2014,” said Jed Drake, ESPN senior vice president and executive producer. “The club’s scenic backdrop and the Copacabana Beach setting will help us deliver to our audience the unique atmosphere around this event, as we embark on an exploration of the rich Brazilian culture through our presentation.”

Brazil 2014 will continue ESPN’s award-winning and critically acclaimed presentation of marquee international soccer competitions. The company won more than 40 industry awards for its presentation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in company history – and highlighted by three Sports Emmy Awards.

In 2010, ESPN’s FIFA World Cup content originated from two sites in Johannesburg, South Africa. A studio location at the International Broadcast Center (IBC) overlooking Soccer City Stadium served as the on-air hub for World Cup coverage on ESPN’s U.S. English-language networks. The month-long game-around-the-game coverage on ESPN Deportes and ESPN International networks originated from the ESPN global content studio located in Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Established in 1932, Rio de Janeiro’s Clube dos Marimbás is named after the Marimbá, (Diplodus argenteus) fish found near the location of the private sailing club at the time. The club is housed in an expansive white building with three floors, ornate furnishings, and large ocean-facing verandas on each floor that overlooks Copacabana Beach.

ESPN and Soccer in the United States:

ESPN is committed to offering comprehensive coverage of the world’s premier soccer events in the United States. ESPN is the English-language television home – and other languages, except Spanish – in the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Confederations Cup and other FIFA events through 2014. The media company is also the English- and Spanish-language home of the UEFA European Football Championship through 2016™, and a collection of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches from UEFA nations – Spain, Germany, France and more. ESPN’s multimedia platforms also provide extensive coverage of a myriad of top-tier international leagues and Major League Soccer in the U.S., as well as telecasts of the United States National Team and Mexican National Team matches, international friendlies, and more.